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Rising 3L, currently an SA at a prominent plaintiffs firm. Love the job, but chances of offer are less than 50%. I'm starting to compile firms to apply to in the event that I don't get an offer. In the past, folks have received offers around mid-Nov. Is that too late to start applying? What should my timeline look like? I'm targeting plaintiff-side firms in the Southeast/Mid-Atlantic, although I would not be opposed to a mid-size defense firm.

Stats: ~33% T50, Secondary journal

For mods: Not a troll, friend posting from account. Long story, but it involves alcohol.

I have no helpful advice, but I'm also interested in this. Rising 3L with a SA at a V50 firm but I would actually really like to get into a decent plaintiffs' firm with a mass tort/products liability/consumer class action practice and/or securities practice. Interested in getting advice about applying.

I'm trying to figure this out too. The problem seems to be that so few hire entry-level associates at all. I've applied to a couple good ones in my area (I have pretty good stats) and the consistent message has been "You've got great credentials and ties, call us again in 2-3 years."

Anonymous User wrote:I'm trying to figure this out too. The problem seems to be that so few hire entry-level associates at all. I've applied to a couple good ones in my area (I have pretty good stats) and the consistent message has been "You've got great credentials and ties, call us again in 2-3 years."

It's not you but the nature of the business model.

Most plaintiffs' firms - even the biggest -- rarely have the overhead cushion to hire recent grads and pay them to do essentially what a contract attorney can do at half the cost (i.e. lower salary, no secretarial support, little to no benefits, etc). There isn't the time nor the resources to train a young lawyer how to practice law because everything is contingency based.

So unless there is a particular need or an expansion into a particular market or practice area, most of these firms will shy away from hiring recent grads. There is always a limited amount of hiring but it is largely sporadic.